The next day.

When it was finally time to leave work, Chen Yang got up to go.

However, Zhou Yufei seemed to have been prepared. She appeared in front of him like a phantom, her arms crossed. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Work's over. Of course I'm going home!"

"We're having dinner together tonight!" Zhou Yufei's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Then she added, "My treat!"

"Not going!"

Zhou Yufei's eyes widened. "This is an order!"

"To hell with your order!" Chen Yang said bluntly. "Today is my wife's birthday. It wouldn't matter even if you put a gun to my head!"

"You..."

Chen Yang paid her no more mind and stormed out. He still had to go home and cook; he had no time to waste on her.

Watching Chen Yang's retreating figure, Zhou Yufei's gaze was complex. A mixture of emotions churned inside her as she let out a self-mocking smile. "Today is also my birthday," she murmured.

With a deep sigh, she walked into her office, looking somewhat forlorn.

The observant Hou Qiang's eyes darted around conspiratorially before he quickly chased after Chen Yang.

He intercepted Chen Yang in front of the elevators, panting as he said, "Mr. Chen, you don't understand! Our Boss was really upset just now! I'm not trying to criticize you, but... that was a bit too ruthless!"

"What do you mean?" Chen Yang frowned, subconsciously glancing in the direction of the sales department.

"Our Boss is from out of town and doesn't have many friends here in Lingjin City. She usually doesn't like to talk much; you're the exception! Today is her birthday, so she must have thought long and hard before deciding to invite you to dinner! But you..."

"Ah, too ruthless, far too ruthless!" Hou Qiang shook his head and sighed, laying it on thick. "You have no idea. After you left, the Boss looked so heartbroken. She might be hiding in her office crying her eyes out right now!"

What in the world? Chen Yang was stunned. When did things get so dramatic?

He rolled his eyes in disbelief and patted Hou Qiang on the shoulder. "Thanks for the heads-up. But unfortunately, today is also my wife's birthday. Heaven is vast and the earth is wide, but my wife is my top priority!"

With that, Chen Yang stepped into the elevator.

Hou Qiang frowned. The Chairman's birthday is today too? What an awful coincidence. Then he yelled at the descending elevator, "Mr. Chen, you could have had the best of both worlds! You'll be struck by lightning for not seizing such a great opportunity!"

After returning home, Qin Qiu handed a bag to Chen Yang. "Go change."

"Honey, did you buy this for me today?" Chen Yang took the bag, stunned. The joy on his face was impossible to hide. Is this the first time?

Qin Qiu remained noncommittal. "Just go change!"

"You got it!"

After changing, Chen Yang ran up to Qin Qiu as if seeking praise, grinning. "So? How do I look? Out-of-this-world handsome?"

"You narcissist!" Qin Qiu rolled her eyes, speechless, and turned to go upstairs.

Chen Yang just chuckled and dove into the kitchen.

As dusk began to fall, Qin Qiu's maternal uncle Luo Gang, his wife Xiao Shuo'e, her younger maternal aunt, and a young cousin stepped into the villa, greeted warmly by Luo Sulan and Xiang Yang.

"Haha! Xiang Yang, you truly live up to your reputation as an outstanding graduate from Fania! After your clear and thorough analysis of the problem, I feel like I've suddenly seen the light!" Luo Gang gave Xiang Yang a thumbs-up, his admiration clear.

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle!" Xiang Yang smiled modestly, the very picture of a gentleman, earning pleased looks of approval from both his wife and Qin Qiu's younger aunt.

Having just finished washing up and meticulously applying her makeup, Qin Qiu came downstairs right on time, moving to greet each guest with a warm smile.

"Huh?" Her aunt, Xiao Shuo'e, looked around in confusion. "Where's Chen Yang? Why don't I see him?"

"Chen Yang is in the kitchen cooking! Don't bother with that loser. He's not qualified to be present on an occasion like this anyway. It would only annoy you to see him!" Luo Sulan cut in before Qin Qiu could explain, her accusation leaving no room for argument.

"Sigh! It's a true misfortune for our family. Why did Old Mr. Qin Gang ever agree to this marriage?" Luo Gang sighed deeply. "My poor Xiaoqiu. Such a wonderful person, yet she's stuck with a loser like him!"

Having already been prompted by Luo Sulan, Xiao Shuo'e immediately chimed in. "It's not a big deal. They only have a marriage certificate, so they can just get a divorce! There are plenty of good men out there, and I think Xiang Yang is a great choice! He's already a distant relative, so this would be making a good match even better!"

Xiang Yang smiled, standing silently to the side.

"That's absolutely right!"

Qin Qiu's younger aunt was a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties. Thanks to her careful grooming, she looked only a few years older than Qin Qiu. She waved a hand and said, "Xiaoqiu, just divorce him! That Xiang Yang is a genuinely good kid from a wealthy family. The two of you together would be a true match—equals in status, a talented man for a beautiful woman. You'd be a pair made in heaven!"

As the saying goes, one should try to reconcile, not separate, but this family was the exact opposite, each person more blunt than the last!

"Xiaoqiu, I know you're worried about what your grandfather will say! Don't worry. With your uncle here to speak up, he won't be able to object!" Luo Gang was even more domineering, settling the matter with finality. "It's decided then!"

Qin Qiu's expression shifted repeatedly. She had already guessed their intentions, but she never imagined they would be so aggressive and unstoppable.

Seeing her silence, they grew even more zealous, bombarding her relentlessly with a mixture of threats and promises.

"Dinner's ready!" Chen Yang called out before greeting them one by one.

"Hmph!" Luo Gang said coldly. "A grown man who only knows how to hide in the kitchen all day. What good can ever come of him?"

"Exactly! And he seems quite proud of himself, too!"

"Haha..."

Chen Yang's enthusiastic welcome was met with a barrage of unabashed ridicule.

"By the way, today is Xiaoqiu's birthday. I wonder what gift you prepared for her?" Xiao Shuo'e asked with ill intent.

Before Chen Yang could speak, Qin Qiu interjected, "Auntie, this necklace was a gift from Chen Yang!"

"I know the story behind this necklace. Can you really say he gave it to you? If it weren't for Jin Zongquan, he would have been utterly humiliated at that auction, wouldn't he?" Xiao Shuo'e sneered with disdain.

"Auntie, I prepared some fireworks and a pair of earrings for Xiaoqiu," Chen Yang said, his expression unchanged.

Fireworks?

Hearing the word, everyone was momentarily stunned before bursting into another round of roaring laughter.

"Haha, that's hilarious! What century are we in? Besides, don't you think that's just a bit too low-class?" Luo Gang scoffed.

Qin Qiu's younger aunt shook her head with a laugh. "Brother, you can't blame Chen Yang for that. After all, he's just a low-class person himself! What sort of elegance can you expect from a country bumpkin like him?"

Chen Yang was about to explain, but Luo Sulan gave him no chance. She turned to Xiang Yang and asked, "Xiang Yang, what about you? What gift did you prepare for Xiaoqiu?"

"A diamond bracelet," Xiang Yang said, taking out an exquisite gift box. He opened it and placed it in front of Qin Qiu. "Xiaoqiu, I wish you happiness every day!"

"Wow! I-Isn't that the signature piece from the Kate Jewelry Store?" Xiao Shuo'e's eyes lit up. "They say it's worth 1.7 million!"

"I pulled a few strings and got it for 1.6 million," Xiang Yang said with a smile.

"Tsk tsk. Look at him, and then look at you! You're an absolute joke!" Luo Gang glanced at Chen Yang mockingly. "You have no money and no abilities. How do you have the nerve to keep staying with the Qin Family?"

"Uncle, Chen Yang's gift is from the heart. Why don't we go take a look at his fireworks?" Xiang Yang suggested with a smile.

Luo Sulan snapped, "You loser, hurry up and light your pathetic fireworks! Stop being such an embarrassment!"

"..."

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